Puri, June 27(OT Webdesk): Marking the end of the 15-day Anasara period—when the deities are believed to be unwell—lakhs of devotees gathered at the Jagannath Temple to witness the deeply emotional Netrotsav ritual.
With chants filling the air and eyes brimming with tears, the Chaturddha Murti (Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshan) emerged in their youthful Nabajouban form, signaling their spiritual recuperation and readiness for the annual Rath Yatra.
The sacred event began 20 minutes earlier than scheduled, with ticketed (Parimanik) devotees receiving priority access, followed by the general public in the Sahana Mela.
A well-coordinated effort by the temple administration ensured all rituals—from Banakalagi (facial adornment) to the ceremonial opening of the Singhadwar—were flawlessly executed.
The deities’ restoration involved 15 days of secret rituals, herbal treatments, and symbolic offerings in line with the Niladri Mahodaya Shastra.
By dawn, the final embellishments were complete, paving the way for public darshan by 8:00 AM, an hour ahead of schedule.
Devotees stood in queues stretching from Market Square to the temple gate, describing the 15-day wait as a lifetime’s longing.
As one devotee shared, “The moment I saw the Lord’s eyes, it felt like He understood my heart.”
This year’s Netrotsav not only rekindled spiritual fervour but also reaffirmed the community’s unbreakable bond with the divine as preparations intensify for the grand Rath Yatra.
